The ancient city state of Elba in Northern Syria was a major trading centre that rose to become a great economic power. Part of Elba’s prosperity stemmed from its agricultural hinterland, in the rich plain of Northern Syria, where barley, wheat, olives, figs, grapes, pomegranates, and flax were grown. Cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs were also raised. The city proper was a manufacturing and distribution centre. Linen and wool, including damask cloth, were the main products. Trade was the key to Ebla’s economy. Cloth, manufactured goods, and olive oil were its main exports. Imports included gold, silver, copper, tin, precious stones, and sheep. Because of its geographic location, Ebla grew wealthy on trade.
Mari became a flourishing city state from about 2900 BC. It enjoyed considerable prosperity, and became an important centre for trade also. The temple of Ishtar and other works of art show that Mari was at this time an artistic centre with a highly developed style of its own. Excavations revealed the remains of a 275 room palace covering 2.5 hectares, with a great library stacked with 20,000 cuneiform tablets.
The Kingdom of Ugarit, which flourished in the Bronze Age, dates back much further than 3000 BC. It prospered and flourished for a few hundred years, as a centre of trade linking Mesopotamia with the Minoans of Crete. Ugarit also shipped cedar wood to the Egyptian pharaohs. It was famous for its bronze workings as well, and its considerable wealth was reflected in the magnificence of its royal palace and in its gold and silver jewellery, bronze statues, and ornate bowls made from precious metals.